Neon Mesh Market Tote Free Crochet Pattern

Introduction

This Neon Mesh Market Tote is a bright, breezy bag that works up from one simple rectangle of open mesh, then folds and seams into a roomy tote. It is written for crocheters who are comfortable with double crochet and chain spaces and want a quick, satisfying project with a big payoff. The lime green body is broken up by four hot pink stripe bands, giving it that playful Y2K look, while the airy mesh keeps it light enough to fold into a pocket or beach bag. It feels soft and stretchy in cotton, holds a surprising amount of produce or towels, and the simple chain-loop handles make it easy to carry.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (category 4) cotton yarn — approximately 200 yards lime green (Color A) and 100 yards hot pink (Color B). Cotton is recommended for strength and stretch.
• Hook: 5.0 mm (H-8) crochet hook.
• Notions: Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, scissors, and a stitch marker (optional) for marking the first stitch of the edging round.
• Finished size: Approximately 14 inches wide x 16 inches tall (excluding handles), with 10-inch handles.

Abbreviations

• ch — chain: yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook.
• dc — double crochet: yarn over, insert hook in stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through the last two loops.
• sc — single crochet: insert hook in stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops.
• sk — skip: miss the next stitch or chain without working into it.
• sp — space: the gap created by a chain (a "ch-1 sp" is the space under one chain).
• st(s) — stitch(es).
• sl st — slip stitch: insert hook in stitch, yarn over and pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• rep — repeat.

Gauge

16 stitches and 8 rows = 4 inches in the mesh pattern. To check it, crochet a small swatch of the dc/ch-1 mesh, measure a 4-inch section, and adjust your hook size if your stitch count differs.

Tips Before You Start

• Count your double crochets at the end of every row — you should always have 28 dc and 27 ch-1 spaces. Consistent counts keep the mesh grid even.
• Keep your chain-1 spaces loose and even; tight chains make the mesh stiff and hard to work into on the next row.
• Change colors at the end of the last row of a band by finishing the final stitch with the new color, so the stripe edge stays clean.
• Because the bag is stretchy, do not overfill it with heavy items; cotton mesh will lengthen with weight.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Panel (worked flat in rows)

Setup: With A, ch 58.

Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, *ch 1, sk 1 ch, dc in next ch; rep from * across, turn (28 dc, 27 ch-1 sps).

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), *ch 1, sk 1 ch, dc in next dc; rep from * across, turn (28 dc, 27 ch-1 sps).

Rows 3-10: Rep Row 2 (28 dc, 27 ch-1 sps).

Change to B.

Rows 11-14: Rep Row 2 (28 dc, 27 ch-1 sps).

Change to A.

Rows 15-30: Rep Row 2 (28 dc, 27 ch-1 sps).

Change to B.

Rows 31-34: Rep Row 2 (28 dc, 27 ch-1 sps).

Change to A.

Rows 35-50: Rep Row 2 (28 dc, 27 ch-1 sps).

Change to B.

Rows 51-54: Rep Row 2 (28 dc, 27 ch-1 sps).

Change to A.

Rows 55-64: Rep Row 2 (28 dc, 27 ch-1 sps). Fasten off.

Handles (make 2)

With A, ch 40.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across (39 sc).

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each sc across (39 sc). Fasten off.

Assembly

Fold the panel in half with right sides together, matching the short ends. Whipstitch both side seams using A.

Turn the bag right side out.

Attach the handles: position each handle 3 inches from the side seams on the top edge, with the two ends of each handle 4 inches apart. Sew securely with A.

Edging

Round 1: With A, sc evenly around the top opening, working through both layers of the handle ends. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends on the wrong side of the bag, using the tapestry needle to work them through several stitches so they stay secure. Lightly steam or wet-block the finished tote to even out the mesh and relax the seams; shape it to 14 inches wide x 16 inches tall and let it dry flat. Check that the handles are firmly sewn and the edging lies flat before using the bag.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the stripe colors for any two contrasting shades, or use a single color for a minimalist look.
• Add a second sc round around the top opening for a sturdier, more finished edge.
• Make the handles longer or shorter by adjusting the starting chain in multiples of 1 stitch to suit your preferred carry length.